The King Abdul Aziz Public Library (KAPL) has geared up efforts to open a Haj Expo in Paris on Tuesday highlighting the Haj rites, ongoing expansion in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and disseminating information on the impact of Haj on Muslims the world over.

"The library administration and the Arab World Institute in Paris are making coordinated efforts to implement the administrative steps for the success of the Haj expo under the constant follow-up of Adviser to the King and the Supervisor General of the KAPL Faisal bin Abdul Rahman Muammar,’’ Deputy Supervisor General of the KAPL Abdul Kareem Al-Zayd said in a statement on Friday.

The preparations of the library for the opening of the exhibition and the management of the events for the next three months in the French capital include insurance procedures of all museum items that will be showcased in coordination with the local, Arab and international museum administrations, especially governing their transportation including their return to their original places and style of their display under the supervision of experts in line with the most advanced methods of the management of museum and heritage artifacts, he said.

A joint committee of the library and the AWI has been set up to supervise all activities related to the opening function including sending invitations to French and European dignitaries and famous personalities in Paris, regulating visitors, and coordination with the media establishments to provide coverage matching the international cultural event, he said.

The organizers are also encouraged by the huge success of the Haj Expo in London last year, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Pamphlets and booklets in French and Arabic have been prepared for distribution among the local populace to help them familiarize with the goals and the items of the expo. Of the 230 items to be showcased in the event, 53 are from Saudi Arabia.

A guide book on the expo published in French contains articles on the history and development of Haj and its cultural and religious impact on the life of Muslims the world over.

A picture album designed in the shape of the Holy Kaaba shows selected photos on Haj rites and the development of the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites in addition to replicas of the huge expansion projects currently under way in Makkah and Madinah.

A special website will supply information in five world languages about Haj.

Teaching programs and workshops will be also be organized for French students visiting the expo.